Maharashtra
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations sweep India; devotees throng Maharashtra temples, pandals
Ganesh Chaturthi is being celebrated with immense enthusiasm and religious fervour across India, particularly in Maharashtra, on Monday, as devotees welcomed beautifully crafted idols of Lord Ganesha into their homes and public pandals to mark the beginning of the 10-day festival.
Across cities, elaborate decorations, illuminated pandals, devotional rituals and cultural programmes have added to the festive atmosphere, with devotees offering prayers, flowers, sweets and other traditional offerings to Lord Ganesha.
Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha, who is revered as the deity of wisdom, prosperity and new beginnings and is traditionally invoked before important undertakings.
The celebrations will culminate in Anant Chaturdashi on September 25, when devotees traditionally bid farewell to the deity through immersion processions.
The origin of Ganesh Chaturthi in its present public form in Maharashtra is traced to Keshavji Nayak Chawl in Girgaum, Mumbai, where freedom fighter Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak began the first ‘sarvajanik’ Ganeshotsav in 1893. The initiative was aimed at bringing people together and garnering public support for India’s freedom struggle.
However, the Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust maintains that the public celebration of Ganeshotsav in Pune was started by Bhausaheb Rangari in 1892, making the origins of the public festival a matter of historical significance for both Mumbai and Pune.
In Pune, the arrival ceremony of Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati, regarded as Hindustan’s first public Ganpati, began amid the rhythmic beats of dhol-tasha and witnessed the participation of a large number of devotees.
Special prayers were also performed at the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple as part of the celebrations.
In Mumbai, dazzling lights and elaborate decorations have given a festive appearance to several prominent Ganesh pandals and temples, including Lalbaugcha Raja at Lalbaug, Tejukaya Mandal in Lalbaug, Ganesh Gully in Lalbaug, GSB Seva Mandal at Matunga-Kings’ Circle, Andheri-cha-Raja, Shri Bal Gopal Ganesh Utsav Mandal at Marine Lines, Kethwadi 11th Lane, Kethwadi 12th Lane, GSB Sarvajanik Ganeshutsav Samiti in Wadala, Sahyadri Mandal in Tilak Nagar-Chembur, and Fort Vibhag Sarvajanik Ganeshutsav Mandal in Fort.
Thousands of devotees are visiting the iconic Lalbaugcha Raja on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. Long queues of devotees were seen outside the famous pandal as people patiently waited for Bappa’s darshan.
The renowned Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai has also been magnificently decorated for the festival, adding to the festive and devotional atmosphere in the city.
In Nagpur, a large number of devotees gathered at the famous Ganesh Tekdi Temple. Devotees stood in long queues to offer prayers and seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha for happiness, prosperity, peace and overall well-being.
The temple premises have been witnessing a deeply devotional atmosphere since morning, with the surrounding area echoing with chants of ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’ as devotees arrived to pay obeisance to the deity.
A devotee, speaking to media, said, “This 10-day festival is ongoing, and there is a huge rush. Our main intention is to ensure that every devotee gets proper darshan, and we have made arrangements accordingly. We have set up separate queues for men and women. For elderly people, we have arranged e-rickshaws and EV vehicles so they can be transported from there to here.”
Another devotee spoke about the spiritual significance of the festival and the joy surrounding the celebrations.
“We came here for Ganesh Chaturthi and had darshan at the temple. The atmosphere here is so joyful and pleasant. The true essence of Ganesh Chaturthi is that Lord Ganesha relieves us of our troubles and brings us happiness. Similarly, in our own lives, we should aim to spread happiness to others rather than causing them pain,” the devotee added.
Maharashtra
Drug dealer arrested in Mumbai with 1.5 kg of charas (cannabis resin)

On October 24, Crime Branch Unit 9 (Bandra West, Mumbai) intensified its crackdown on drug peddlers, resulting in the arrest of an individual involved in the sale of narcotics. The police had received information that the accused was selling charas (cannabis resin) and other intoxicating substances from his residence. Acting on this intelligence and following the guidance of senior officers, a team from Crime Branch Unit 9—accompanied by independent witnesses (panches)—raided the premises on October 24. During the operation, 1.505 kilograms of charas were seized in accordance with legal procedures; the estimated value of the contraband is 15 million rupees (1.5 crore INR) based on international market rates.
A case has been registered in connection with this incident under the NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act. One individual, aged 40, has been arrested. Additionally, another person has been identified as a wanted suspect, and a search is currently underway to locate him.
This notable operation was carried out under the supervision of Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Anil Kumbhare, Additional Commissioner of Police Krishnakant Upadhyay, and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Nonath Dhole.
Maharashtra
Lawrence Bishnoi gang shooters had practised shooting in the Aarey Colony forest before opening fire at Tiger Shroff’s residence.

Following the firing incident involving Tiger Shroff, an investigation has revealed that a businessman in Pune and a film star in Mumbai were on Lawrence Bishnoi’s target list. The gang’s objective is to instill fear among the film industry and the business community in order to extort money—specifically, to collect protection money or ransoms. The primary goal of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang is not necessarily murder, but rather the creation of terror and fear within the film industry and among business circles.
Currently, 56 operatives of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang are incarcerated in various Mumbai jails; they have been linked to over 10 criminal incidents in Mumbai and Pune over the past 2–3 years. Targeting Bollywood is a key objective for the Lawrence gang, and they have been involved in conspiracies to target film actors specifically to spread fear and terror throughout the business community.
In the Tiger Shroff case, it has emerged that the shooters underwent firearms training in the Aarey Colony forest. A shepherd witnessed the shooters practicing and serves as an eyewitness; according to him, three to four individuals trained there, and he saw them firing weapons. New revelations continue to surface in the case involving Tiger Shroff, with the Crime Branch making significant progress in its investigation.
Weapons have also been recovered in connection with the matter. Furthermore, the interrogation of the shooters arrested by the police has led to the discovery of a link to Anil Pandit—a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang—with whom the shooters were in contact.
Maharashtra
Major action by Mumbai ANC: Drug peddlers arrested.

On October 25, the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of Mumbai claimed to have arrested individuals—who were also wanted in a murder case—while they were in possession of narcotics. During a patrol near the main gate of Shri Krishna Complex, opposite the National Park in Borivali West, Mumbai, the Ghatkopar unit of the ANC apprehended three individuals who were allegedly selling ‘MD’ (Mephedrone). Upon searching them, 1.028 kilograms of Mephedrone was recovered. The police registered a case (Kasturba Marg Police Station, Case No. 728/2026) under Sections 8(c) read with 22(c) and 29 of the NDPS Act, 1985. During the subsequent interrogation, it was revealed that the arrested individuals were also involved in a murder case. They had brought the narcotics from Nalasopara with the intent of selling them at this location.
The arrested individuals include a 28-year-old man, another 28-year-old man, and a 39-year-old man. A total of 1.028 kilograms of Mephedrone was seized from the three suspects.
This successful operation was carried out under the guidance of Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Anil Kumbhare, Additional Commissioner Kant Upadhyay, and DCP Purnima Chougule-Shringi.
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